Tonari no Shugoshin

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Now, let me start by saying i don't particulary like shoujo manga. I dislike the cliche romance and instant love. But this manga struck me with the enjoyment i got while reading.
The story is basic alright, nothing special and i have no comment (except that there are some plotholes unresolved at the end, but i bet most of people don't even notice them). The art shows better promise than the story, with simple strokes and without the overuse of visual effects.
The characters, i think, are the best part. There is strenght in numbers and in this case, the small number of characters. There are four ... that you gotta know and that's perfect for the small amount of chapters. There is no use in importing 10 people for the sake of 8 chapters and that's what the manga got right. Sure, they screw up sometimes in their approach (ahem, Yuuki, the first chapter maybe? Don't get me started on Lancelot.).
The main characzer has a bit more personality than the usual Mary Sue- i mean MC. She's strong-willed, but unsure in particular moments. She's decisive and get's her shit together when needed. And even when she finally puts her walls down and decides to lean on an another person, that doesn't make her any weaker.
Overall, i give this manga a strong 8. Mostly for the enjoyment i felt and it's definitely a good and quick read.

The manga is not bad really but it had potential to be better which was a let down. It seems like a thought just put together on a whim. The main girl's background and the plot itself seemed poorly put together. The characters needed work and the story progressed too fast.

The main girl Rio doesn't have any redeeming characteristics and was a bit annoying. She seemed kind of stupid as well, her little brother, Minoru, seemed to know more than her. Lancelot was her lover who came out of a card. He seemed like a gentleman at first, like how he is portrayed in ... legends but after he realized his feelings for Rio, his personality was off and he acted not like the gentleman he was. The card was not explained and the reason why Lancelot can't stay seemed logical but the conditions in which he can stay, wasn't so much.

The only good characters are Minoru, who seems to get pushed around by Rio and Lancelot. He is always being used in their schemes. The other good character is Yuuki who likes Rio. He is kind and although he was pushy at first he redeemed his character later. He also seems to get used by Rio and Lancelot.
The story could have been better, so I am kind of disappointed.
5